Re: HYB: Pollination vectors
- To: i*@onelist.com
- Subject: Re: HYB: Pollination vectors
- From: B* S*
- Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 10:13:42 -0400
From: Bill Shear <BILLS@hsc.edu>
James--interesting ideas, but please remember that a visit to a flower to
gather nectar may not result in pollination if the flower is not
anatomically adapted to be pollinated by the visitor. Hummingbirds have
been seen visiting spuria flowers, but taking the drops of nectar that are
found at the petal bases. They can do this without entering the flower at
all. Also, red or reddish coloration is not a definitive clue to bird
pollination, because the flower may also be reflective in ultraviolet, thus
making it attractive to insects. It might be interested to take some
pictures of irises on UV sensitive film using a quartz lens (glass filters
out UV) to see if there are any UV pollination guides present.
Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@hsc.edu>
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